By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The Nigeria Police Force has said all cases reported against its personnels have been creditably attended to, and justice has been done appropriately.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Friday, many of the erring officers have been sanctioned, while some cases are still at the orderly room trial level, and will soon be concluded.
TheFact Daily reports that the sanctions are in a bid to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity within the Nigeria Police Force, even as the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, emphasized his administration’s zero-tolerance policy towards any form of indiscipline.
He stressed that the mandate of the Police is to serve and protect with honour and integrity, and as such all breaches of the core values of the NPF will be met with decisive action to maintain public trust and ensure justice.
Giving instances, Adejobi disclosed that a Police Inspector has been dismissed from service while 3 others were demoted to their previous ranks following thorough investigations which confirmed their involvement in various acts of indiscipline/crime.
Furthermore, one Inspector Adabo Mohammed was dismissed for the offences of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery/kidnapping, and corrupt practice. According to Adejobi, the dismissed officer, along with 5 others were members of an armed robbery gang responsible for the robbery of the sum of N29.8 million from a victim in Gwagwalada, FCT as well as the kidnap of one Ikechukwu Emmanuel Okafor in Tunga Manje and the collection of ransom sum of N4.4m. The ex-officer has been charged to court accordingly.
Similarly, the trio of Inspectors Osagie Efford, Semiu Agbekin, and Francis Ahuen, attached to the Special Tactical Squad (STS), have been demoted to their previous rank of Sergeant for the extortion of some motorists in Abuja.
The FPRO said the trio intercepted an unregistered Mercedes Benz at Gwarinpa, Abuja, and forced the occupants to part with the total sum of N29.4m. The matter, when reported by one Harrison Gwamnishu (@HarrisonBBi18) via the social media platform ‘X’, was taken up and properly investigated. While the monies have been returned to the complainants, the officers were subjected to orderly room trial in line with extant laws, and have been demoted.
“Also, recognizing that accountability must be enforced at all levels, several senior officers have been subjected to the Force Disciplinary Committee hearings. These hearings are part of an exhaustive review process to scrutinize and address allegations of misconduct against higher-ranking officers of the Force, Adejobi stated.
He averred that this wave of disciplinary actions is part of a broader initiative to implement comprehensive reforms within the police force, adding that these reforms aim to strengthen internal oversight mechanisms, enhance training programs focused on ethics and community policing, and improve transparency in disciplinary procedures.
Adejobi said, the Inspector General of Police assures the public that these measures are taken with the utmost seriousness and are integral to restoring and maintaining their trust. He re-emphasized that the NPF is dedicated to fostering a culture of accountability and respect within all ranks to ensure that police officers serve with integrity”.
